公开(公告)号：US20240275129A1

公开(公告)日：2024-08-15

申请号：US18631410

申请日：2024-04-10

Applicant: Waymo LLC

Inventor： Joshua Jones ,  Augusto Tazzoli ,  Pierre-yves Droz

IPC: H01S5/068 ,  G01S7/484 ,  G01S17/10 ,  G01S17/14 ,  H01S5/042 ,  H03K3/017 ,  H03K3/53

CPC classification number: H01S5/06804 ,  G01S7/484 ,  G01S17/10 ,  G01S17/14 ,  H01S5/042 ,  H01S5/0428 ,  H03K3/017 ,  H03K3/53

Abstract: A method includes applying, by a switching circuit, pulses of an input voltage to an input of an inductor. The method includes charging, in accordance with an off state of a switch, a charge storage device through the inductor using the pulses of the input voltage such that the circuit node develops a charge voltage that is greater than the input voltage. The method includes discharging, in accordance with an on state of the switch, the charge storage device such that a first portion of the charge voltage is applied to a light emitter and a second portion of the charge voltage is applied to parasitic inductance. The method includes controlling, by a controller, a timing of the pulses of the input voltage applied by the switching circuit based on a parasitic inductance from a previous charging cycle of the charge storage device, so as to control the charge voltage.

公开(公告)号：US11996677B2

公开(公告)日：2024-05-28

申请号：US17137331

申请日：2020-12-29

Applicant: Waymo LLC

Inventor： Joshua Jones ,  Augusto Tazzoli ,  Pierre-yves Droz

IPC: H01S5/042 ,  G01S7/484 ,  G01S17/10 ,  G01S17/14 ,  H01S5/068 ,  H03K3/017 ,  H03K3/53

CPC classification number: H01S5/06804 ,  G01S7/484 ,  G01S17/10 ,  G01S17/14 ,  H01S5/042 ,  H01S5/0428 ,  H03K3/017 ,  H03K3/53

Abstract: A method includes applying, by a switching circuit, pulses of an input voltage to an input of an inductor. The method includes charging, in accordance with an off state of a switch, a charge storage device through the inductor using the pulses of the input voltage such that the circuit node develops a charge voltage that is greater than the input voltage. The method includes discharging, in accordance with an on state of the switch, the charge storage device such that a first portion of the charge voltage is applied to a light emitter and a second portion of the charge voltage is applied to parasitic inductance. The method includes controlling, by a controller, a timing of the pulses of the input voltage applied by the switching circuit based on a parasitic inductance from a previous charging cycle of the charge storage device, so as to control the charge voltage.

公开(公告)号：US12228683B1

公开(公告)日：2025-02-18

申请号：US18498179

申请日：2023-10-31

Applicant: Waymo LLC

Inventor： Joshua Jones ,  Gregory Hall ,  Alexander Zbrozek

IPC: G01S7/4861 ,  G01S17/931 ,  H02J50/12 ,  H02J50/80

Abstract: A method for operating a light detection and ranging (LIDAR) device is provided. The method includes driving, by an LLC resonant power converter, a wireless power signal at a primary winding of a transformer disposed on a first platform. The method includes transmitting the wireless power signal across a gap separating the first platform and a second platform. The second platform is configured to rotate relative to the first platform. The method includes receiving the wireless power signal at a secondary winding of the transformer. The secondary winding is disposed on the second platform. The method includes operating, by the LLC resonant power converter at a unity gain operating point and in an open loop mode without feedback control, a device mounted on the second platform based on the secondary winding receiving the wireless power signal.

公开(公告)号：US20210199762A1

公开(公告)日：2021-07-01

申请号：US17137331

申请日：2020-12-29

Applicant: Waymo LLC

Inventor： Joshua Jones ,  Augusto Tazzoli ,  Pierre-yves Droz

IPC: G01S7/484 ,  H03K3/017 ,  G01S17/10

Abstract: A method includes applying, by a switching circuit, pulses of an input voltage to an input of an inductor. The method includes charging, in accordance with an off state of a switch, a charge storage device through the inductor using the pulses of the input voltage such that the circuit node develops a charge voltage that is greater than the input voltage. The method includes discharging, in accordance with an on state of the switch, the charge storage device such that a first portion of the charge voltage is applied to a light emitter and a second portion of the charge voltage is applied to parasitic inductance. The method includes controlling, by a controller, a timing of the pulses of the input voltage applied by the switching circuit based on a parasitic inductance from a previous charging cycle of the charge storage device, so as to control the charge voltage.

公开(公告)号：US11841465B1

公开(公告)日：2023-12-12

申请号：US17137347

申请日：2020-12-29

Applicant: Waymo LLC

Inventor： Joshua Jones ,  Gregory Hall ,  Alexander Zbrozek

IPC: G01S7/4861 ,  G01S17/931 ,  H02J50/80 ,  H02J50/12

CPC classification number: G01S7/4861 ,  G01S17/931 ,  H02J50/12 ,  H02J50/80

Abstract: A method for operating a light detection and ranging (LIDAR) device is provided. The method includes driving, by an LLC resonant power converter, a wireless power signal at a primary winding of a transformer disposed on a first platform. The method includes transmitting the wireless power signal across a gap separating the first platform and a second platform. The second platform is configured to rotate relative to the first platform. The method includes receiving the wireless power signal at a secondary winding of the transformer. The secondary winding is disposed on the second platform. The method includes operating, by the LLC resonant power converter at a unity gain operating point and in an open loop mode without feedback control, a device mounted on the second platform based on the secondary winding receiving the wireless power signal.